Education
BY BROOKE SJOBERG
As Bastrop ISD administrators continue crafting a budget proposal for the 2026-27 nancial year, new enrollment projections and information about legislative impacts show what the path forward might look like. Chief Financial Ocer Mike White shared the budget outlook in April board meetings. White said the district is one of 300 in Texas that have lost funds due to a voter- approved increase to the homestead exemption for homeowners age 65 and older lowering the taxable value of a homeowner’s primary residence. He said BISD will receive about $700,000 less than expected in funding to oset losses tied to tax policy changes; however, the budget is expected to be bolstered by funds from a look-back audit of tax revenue and a transfer from a BISD enterprise fund. White oered potential budget options that include a 1% compensation increase at the midpoint, which he said works into a balanced budget alongside state-mandated teacher compensation increases. White said the district is planning its 2026- 27 budget under a “no growth” scenario after an April demographic update from Zonda Education showed an “irregular lull” in student enrollment growth. This includes about a 15% reduction in nonclassroom and nonpayroll departments. ‘Enrollment lull’ shapes budget for Bastrop ISD
By the numbers
Bastrop ISD enrollment projections As of late April, only 80 students had joined the district in the 2025-26 school year.
Student enrollment
Projected enrollment
20K 15K 10K 5K 0
School year
SOURCE: BASTROP ISD, ZONDA EDUCATIONCOMMUNITY IMPACT
Diving deeper
• Increasing paraprofessional minimum pay to $15 per hour, which would cost the district $100,000. Budget conversations will continue as White and his sta prepare the nal proposal, which the board will vote on this summer. The district has a July 1 start to its scal year and must pass a budget for the 2026-27 nancial year by June 30. The board will consider a separate measure to set its tax rate later in the year.
Despite scal challenges, White also shared potential items for the board to consider as discussions continue: • Hiring three additional police oficers and a sergeant to move closer to the state mandate of one armed security oficer per campus, which would cost the district $304,000 • Adjusting the pay scale to increase compensation for teachers with 10 to 20 years of experience to make the district more competitive, which would cost the district $125,000
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BASTROP CEDAR CREEK EDITION
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